Prof. Sankaran Narayanan, Department of History, Sri Chandrasekharendra Viswamaha Vidyalaya, Kanchipuram, says that literary and historical evidence point to the fact that the Kamakshi temple is ancient dating back to the sixth century, the Chola, Pandya and Pallava rulers and later the Vijayanagara kings and Telugu rulers lending their unique touches. The sanctum sanctorum should have been renovated by the Pandyas in the 14th century, he says.
Evidences point to the presence of a Buddhist monastery. “Quite possibly both existed and one outlived the other,” he says. “The presence of a Divya Desam within the premises proclaims the Saiva-Vaishnva unity that prevailed in those days,” he adds. The abode of Sri Adivaraha Perumal (Kalvar) has been restored and another Vishnu shrine (Ninran-Irundan-Kidanthan) has been spruced up to facilitate easy flow of devotees Inscriptions relating to Parantaka Chola, Raja Raja, Rajendra Chola II and Kulothunga III provide evidence for 1,200 years, 10th-12th centuries. Many Pallava vestiges in the form of tablets and balustrades with their signature lion motif are available too. Appar and Sundarar refer to Kamakottam Kanchi in their Thevaram hymns while the seventh century Sangam poet Adiyarkunallar sings of Kachikotta Kamakshi. Thevaram and Periyapuranam also refer to Kachi Sastha. In the narration of Balarama’s tirthayatra, Bhagavatapurana speaks of Kamakotipuri Kanchi. The name of Sangam poetess Kamakanni could be the chaste Tamil version of Kamakshi. Perumbanatrupadai has it that an aerial view of Ooragam (Kanchipuram) reveals the lotus shape of the town. In such a formation, Mahavishnu takes the centre with a shrine for Sakti close to Him, explains Prof. Sankaran Narayanan. The temple has a shrine for Sri Adi Sankara, who installed the Sri Chakra inside the sanctum sanctorum. The spruced up niche of the Acharya has a golden roof, now renewed. The sudai images of the guru parampara have been replaced with stone sculptures. Raja Chandra Samana Kanti Vadana Nagadi Rajastuta Mookanamabi Kurvati suraduni Nikasa Vagvaibhavam Sri Kanchi Nagari Vihara Rasika Sokabahandrisatam Eka Punyaparampara Pasupate Akaarani Rajate (Verse 11) Kaivalyataya Karunarasa Kingaraya Kamakshi Kandalita Viprama Sankaraya Alokanaya Tava Bhakta Sivankaraya Mathar Namostu Paratantrita Sankaraya (Verse 47) These two verses are from Mookapanchasati, the 500-verse sloka, of which Paramacharya recommends at least 31 for recitation. Mookan was a mute illiterate, who fervently prayed to Kamakshi for the power of speech. The Goddess responded by making him compose 500 verses in Her praise. “This shrine draws unto it the power of any sanctum that you may be praying at and returns it manifold” - Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati said this of Kamakshi. Referred to as Mokshapuri and Muktistalam, even an accidental arrival at Kanchipuram is said to offer liberation to the soul. Of the five sacred places associated with the five elements of Nature, Kanchipuram is Pritvikshetram (Earth). Legend has it that tortured by Bandakasura, the celestials on the advice of Lord Siva, prayed to Sri Mahatripurasundari. She emerged from Bilahasa, annihilated the demon and went into the Biladwara to emerge as the resplendent Rajarajeswari. Sri Lalitha Mahatripurasundari is hailed as Kamakshi, sporting the cane bow, flower, the rope (paasa) and the ankusa. She is in meditation (Yoga Nishtai), seated in Padmasana. The Biladwara, opening, and Gayatri Mantapam, where it is located are therefore most sacred. Kanchipuram, in this context, is Akasa Kshetram, as mentioned in ‘Sowbhagya Chintamani,’ a work of sage Durvasa, who is enshrined in the temple. Known as Kamaraja Peetam, Kanchi is considered the waist of the Universe. Sri Kamakshi is the presiding deity for the entire town, so much so that the processions of all temples go round her abode. She is the personification of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Her shrine is situated in such a way that the devotee can never show his back to Her. And the Siva temples here do not have a separate shrine for Ambal. Paramacharya often said that the Goddesses in the entire South up to Thanjavur, are actually Kamakshi although local lore may refer to them by different names. The temple, he said was a rare instance of Sakti and Sri Chakra enshrined exclusively. Halls of worship All the mantapams — Gayatri, Sukravara, Vasantha, Aippasi Pooram, Dwajarohanam, Tirthavari, Navaratri (Dasara), Kanu and Deepavali — where the utsava deity is brought during various festivals wear a new look. Also known as The other names of Kanchipuram include: Satyavrata Kshetram, Bhaskara Kshetram, Harihara Kshetram, Satya Kshetram, Sripuram, Kailasam and Vaikkuntam. It has as its boundaries Swamipushkarani (Tirumala) in the North, Pinakini in the South, Bay of Bengal in the East and Virinjipuram in the West. Swaminatha Sthapati considers it a blessing to have been given the opportunity to do the Tiruppani. He is the third generation architect to be associated with the Kamakshi temple. “My grandfather Subbaiah Sthapati renovated the Vasantha Mantapam and he built the shrine where the Chandramouliswara puja is conducted daily,” he says. Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati’s brief to the Sthapati was terse but clear: “Don’t hurry. Tradition should be preserved and take absolute care.” So every nuance was attended to and there was no pressure. “It has been a huge learning curve for me,” exults the architect, who along with his father executed the work on the monumental golden temple in Vellore. An experience that stood him in good stead while working on the golden roof of Sri Kamakshi and Adi Sankara. The Sthapati singles out as challenge the Sudai Karuchakkarai padimam and Sila Soolam techniques adopted while restoring the Perumal Moolavar image. “A skill of high order is required for this and it was first time for me,” he adds. Working on the sculptures on the East gopuram, not touched since 1975, and sculpting the 80 Guru Parampara images on the pillar of the Q-Mandapam are other aspects he mentions in particular. K Rajaram IRS 281225 NB: Adi shankara in 10th century is a misnomer. Guruparampara 80 denote 30-year average per guru makes it 2400 years. Kamakshi Temple age is that much old On Sun, 28 Dec 2025 at 14:17, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *EKAMBARESWAR TEMPLE-KANCHIPURAM-TAMILNADU* > > > Introduction > > Ekambareswarar Temple (Ekambaranathar Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated > to the god Shiva, located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. > It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples > associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and > specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi. > > Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar and is represented > by the lingam as *Prithvi lingam*. His consort Parvati is depicted as > Elavarkuzhali. > > The presiding deity is revered in the *7th century* Tamil Saiva canonical > work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and > classified as *Paadal Petra Sthalam.* > > The temple complex covers 10 hectares (25 acres), and is one of the > largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The > tallest is the southern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 58.5216 m > (192 ft), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. > > The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Ekambareswarar and the > Vishnu shrine - Nilathingal Thundam Perumal (a Divya Desam) being the > most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is > the thousand-pillared hall built during the *Vijayanagar period.* The > temple is the largest and one of the most prominent tourist attractions in > the city. > > Legends > > Legend has it that the lingam here at the Ekambareswarar Temple is made > and worshipped by Goddess Parvati herself and that we can still see a mark > on the Lingam which holds this legend true. > > Once Goddess Parvati covered Shiva’s eyes and the world suddenly filled > with darkness. With Shiva’s eyes closed, the Sun and Moon darkened without > even a beam of light. He opened his third eye and saved the day for the > mankind. Parvati was filled with guilt after witnessing all these. Shiva > asked her to do penance to free her from wrong karma. Parvati born on earth > as Kamakshi and started her penance. She made a Shiva linga out of sand and > worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of Prithvi Lingam [Lingam made of earth] > under an ancient temple mango tree. At the same time, Shiva in order to > test her devotion caused a flood where Kamakshi was busy worshipping him. > > Kamakshi on realizing about the flood got scared of the Prithvi Lingam > being washed off, embraces the lingam. Lord Shiva who literally started > melting due to her devotion and love appears in his materialized human form > and married Kamakshi. Also this is when Kamakshi accidently left some marks > on the lingam as a result of her bangles and kuchas hitting the sand made > lingam which can be seen even today. > > In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Parvati prayed to > the god Vishnu. Vishnu brought the Moon whose rays cooled down the tree and > Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt Parvati's > penance. Parvati convinced Ganga that since they were sisters, she should > not harm Parvati. Parvati worshipped a Shiva Linga out of sand to please > Shiva. Ultimately, Shiva appeared before her as *Ekambareswarar or "Lord > of Mango Tree"*. > > *According to another legend*, Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a > Prithvi Lingam (or a Lingam out of sand), under a mango tree. Legend has it > that the Vegavati river overflowed, threatening to engulf the Shiva Lingam; > Parvati as Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture > materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to > as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tamil. > > *Tirukuripputhonda Nayanar*, a nayanar saint, was a washerman near the > temple and he washed the clothes of all the Saivities. He was divinely > tricked by Shiva appearing as an aged brahmin and asked him to wash before > dawn. At the same time, Shiva made a cloudy evening. On observing the > approach of the evening, the washerman banged his head in a stone in > disappointment. God appeared in his true form and graced his devotee. > > History > > The present masonry structure was built during the *Chola dynasty in the > 9th century*, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar > rulers. > > This vast temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in > existence since at least 600 CE. The temple finds mention in the classical > Tamil Sangam literature dated 300 BCE like Manimegalai and > Perumpāṇāṟṟuppaṭai. *Initially temple was built by Pallavas. *The > Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. > > *The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the later > Chola Kings*. > > Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodelled along with > expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja > Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers. > > > > The Vijayanagar kings, during the 15th century, also made lot of > contributions to the temple and later developed by *Vallal Pachiyappa > Mudaliar* used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in > this temple, he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on > the temple renovation. > > Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horseback can be seen in the temple pillar. > > *At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was > constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling > time to Kanchipuram.* > > The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905–06 indicates widespread > renovation activities carried out in the temple by Nattukottai Chettiars. > In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu > Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil > Nadu. > > Architecture > > The temple covers an area of 10 hectares (25 acres). Reaching a height of > 59 m (194 ft), the temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) > is one of the tallest in South India. > > * The bottom half of the gateway tower has the shrines of Vinayaka and > Murugan on either sides*. From the entrance, there are two halls namely > Vahana Mandapam (vehicle hall) and Sarabhesa Mandapam (also called > Navaratri hall). The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the "hallway with a thousand > pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings, is found on precinct > after the gateway tower. *There is said to have been an underground holy > river*. > > The fourth courtyard contains a small Ganesha temple and a pond. The third > courtyard contains lot of smaller shrines. The flag staff of the temple is > axial to the sanctum and diagonally located to the main entrance and the > temple tank on either directions. > > There is a shrine called Thirukachi Mayanam and Kalayana Mandapa, named > after Pachayappa Mudaliar, both of which are located close to the flag > staff. Thirukachi Mayanam, Valeesam, Rishabesam and Satyanadeesam are > located in four corners of the temple. *The hall of the flagstaff has > pillars sculpted with intricate figures indicating various legends and > avatars of Shiva.* There are granite image of the 63 Nayanmars around the > first precinct. The temple's inner most precinct are decorated with an > array of Shivalingam, one of which is a Sahasra Lingam with 1,008 Siva > lingams sculpted on it. There is a separate shrine for Nataraja on the > second precinct. > > Sanctum > > The sanctum sanctorum contains the lingam along with the image of Shiva > and Parvati sitting together. > > The gold plated lingam depicts the story of Parvati hugging the lingam to > save it from the flooding Vegavati river. > > There is no separate shrine for Parvati within the complex as with all > other Shiva temples in Kanchipuram. A local belief is that the deity at > the Kamakshi Amman Temple is the consort for Ekambaranathar. Behind the > image of Lingam in the sanctum, there is a depiction of Shiva and Parvathi > in a plaque with Shiva depicted as Tazhuvakuzhainthaar Swami and Parvathi > as Elavarkuzhali Amman. > > During Panguni Uthiram the sun rays fall directly on the Shiva linga. > > Sanctum for Lord Vishnu > > There is a small shrine for Vishnu named Nilathingal Thundam Perumal > temple inside the temple complex. *Vishnu is prayed as Vamana and the > shrine is hailed by the Alvar saints as one of the 108 Divya Desams*. > > Poojas > > The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 3:30~4:00 a.m. to > 8.30 p.m. > > The temple priest perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a > daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to > the Shaivaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are > performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 > a.m., Ucchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at > 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8.30 p.m. > > There are weekly rituals like somavaram and shukravaram, fortnightly > rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), > kiruthigai, pournami and Chaturthi > > Festivals > > Twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. Panguni Uthiram festival > celebrated for thirteen days during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - > April) is the most prominent festival of the temple and the town. > > January- February Brahmotsavam, the golden car festival when Lord Shiva is > taken around the temple premises in a well decorated temple car. > > February- March Shivaratri Festival, great gathering of Shiva devotees. > > March- April Panguni Uthiram, the most important as per the Vedic > tradition. > > September- October Navaratri Festival > > The temple celebrates dozens of festivals throughout the year. The most > important of these is the Panguni Brahmotsavam that lasts ten days > during the Tamil month of Panguni, between March and April, concluding with > the celebration of Kalyanotsavam. The festival is the most popular of all > the temple festivals in Kanchipuram. During Brahmotsavam there are various > processions during the ten days with the festive images of presiding > deities of the temple carried in various mounts around the streets of the > temple. During the fifth day, Ekambareswarar is carried silver mount Nandi > during the morning and Ravaneswara Vahanam during the evening. The 63 > Nayanmars are taken in procession the sixth day morning, while > Ekambareswarar is carried on Silver car festival in the evening. Silver > Mavadi seva is performed on the ninth day. *On the concluding day, > Kalyanotsavam (marriage festival) is held when the marriage of > Ekambareswarar is enacted*. > > *During the day, many unmarried people get married irrespective of their > caste along with the deity.* The event is witnessed by thousands of > people every year > > Temple tree and specialty. > > The sthala-vriksham or temple tree is believed to be a 3,500-year-old > mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes > from its four branches. The mangoes are said to have different tastes, > such as sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent. The tree also symbolizes the > four Vedas, or the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The tree is revered by > the devotees, who seek its blessings for fertility and prosperity. > > Religious significance of the temple > > Pancha Bhoota Sthalam refers to the five Shiva temples, each representing > the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature - land, water, air, > sky, fire.[21] Pancha indicates five, Bhoota means elements and Stala means > place. All these temples are located in South India with four of these > temples at Tamil Nadu and one at Andhra Pradesh. The five elements are > believed to be enshrined in the five lingams and each of the lingams > representing Shiva in the temple have five different names based on the > elements they represent. In the temple, *Shiva is said to have manifested > himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam.* > > Administration > > The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and > Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. > > Music pillars > > The temple also has a unique feature called *the ten musical pillars, > which are located in the inner courtyard.* These pillars are made of > granite and produce different musical notes when tapped. The pillars also > have carvings of various musical instruments, such as the veena, the flute, > and the mridangam. The pillars are said to demonstrate the harmony and > diversity of Indian music. > > Dress code and manners > > Dress modestly and respectfully, as the city and the temple are > conservative and religious. Avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, > or any revealing clothes. Wear comfortable and breathable clothes, such as > cotton or linen, and carry a scarf or a shawl to cover your head and > shoulders. Wear shoes that are easy to remove and wear, as you will have to > take them off before entering the temple. > > Follow the rules and etiquette of the temple, such as maintaining silence, > cleanliness, and decorum. *Do not touch or disturb the idols, the > priests, or the devotees.* Do not take photos or videos inside the > temple, unless you have permission. Do not carry any leather items, such as > belts, wallets, or bags, inside the temple. Do not consume any alcohol, > tobacco, or non-vegetarian food inside or near the temple premises. > > Address of the temple > > Ekambaranathar Sannidhi Street, Kanchipuram 631502 Tamil Nadu. > > Temple Timings > > The temple is open to worship during morning 06:00 am to 11:00 am and > evening 05:00pm to 08:00 pm. > > How to Reach the temple? > > By Air:The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport. After getting > down at Chennai grab a taxi or Government bus to Kanchipuram which is 64 > kms away. > > By Rail:The nearest railway station is Kanchipuram Railway Station. You > can catch trains from any part of the country which pass through > Kanchipuram. After getting down at Kanchipuram, grab an auto-rickshaw or > taxi to the temple. > > By Road:Tamil Government Buses to Kanchipuram are available from all the > parts of the Tamil Nadu state and also from major cities in South India. It > is 64 kms from Chennai which is the major city close to Kanchipuram from > where you get frequent buses to Kanchipuram. > > > > Compiled from different sources and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan on > 28-12-2025 > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1306273586.2508116.1766911530986%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1306273586.2508116.1766911530986%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqGRd7p6zB4wfY%2BOj4fcJgy45n_NYwfLEt5TJW88rHwdw%40mail.gmail.com.
